The best food-and-wine experiences in Healdsburg are operating more like restaurants with excellent wine programs than tasting rooms with a charcuterie afterthought.
Bills Tasting Room runs tastings and full lunches with their own culinary team, sustainably farmed Napa and Sonoma wines anchoring the menu. Jordan Vineyard and Winery in Alexander Valley has built its reputation around wines designed to complement food. Dry Creek Vineyard, family-owned since 1972, has a genuine food program to go with its classic Fumé Blanc and Zinfandel.
01
Geyserville
Francis Ford Coppola's estate integrates wine, food, film, and music into one place. More full afternoon than tasting room. Ferraro Family Vineyards brings Italian heritage to a five-acre garden setting in Dry Creek Valley.
02
Dry Creek Valley
Lambert Bridge crafts small-lot Sonoma wines in a redwood-and-vineyard setting built for lingering. Com' è Bella pours single-vineyard Zinfandels in an underground wine cave or out on the lawn with valley views.
03
Kitchens in Dry Creek
Capo Creek runs gourmet comfort food out of its own kitchen, served in a vineyard garden. Comstock Wines came out of a hospitality background, Kelly Comstock and winemaker Chris Russi sourcing Sonoma County fruit since 2015. Cast Wines has farmed certified organic since 2012 and pours Old Vine Zinfandel through Riesling. Dutcher Crossing sits on Dry Creek with the views to justify a long lunch.
04
Alexander Valley and beyond
Blue Rock Vineyard works 100 acres and runs tours alongside its tastings. deLorimier Winery pours single-vineyard wines onto a back patio. Ferrari-Carano brings the scale for a group. Banshee Wines has worked the Western Sonoma Coast since 2009.
05
Small labels worth booking
Jeff Cohn Cellars makes Rhône varieties and Zinfandel in small batches and experiments with alternative fermentation. Acta Wines takes its name from the Latin for deeds not words, a Proprietary Red Blend alongside Cabernet from Chalk Hill and Yountville. Aldina Vineyards works a Mayacamas ridgeline for Cabernet Sauvignon.
